Zealand B.

Age: 15, Hometown: Eugene, Oregon

"It's important to spread awareness about climate impacts. I'm suing the federal government because they need to be doing a lot more to protect our futures."

In his hometown of Eugene, Zealand has advocated before local and state governmental bodies for science-based government action on climate change. Zealand loves the solitude of wilderness, and “snow, skiing, clean air, water, rafting, beaches, trees” are what he most loves and hopes to never lose to climate chaos. Zealand’s mother usually works during the winter at the Willamette Pass ski resort, but lost that work as Oregon has been received less snow during the winter of 2014- 2015. Decreased snowpack levels in the future will also harm the availability of drinking water for Zealand, his family, and his community, as Eugene’s only water source, the McKenzie River, is fed by melting snowpack.

Zealand marches at the People's Climate March in Washington D.C. on April 29, 2017 with his fellow #youthvgov plaintiffs. Photo: Robin Loznak